Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen has secured her spot in the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 9. The WTA announced her qualification on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in her blossoming career.
Currently ranked seventh on the WTA leaderboard, Zheng was in a fierce competition with Emma Navarro and Danielle Collins of the United States, as well as Daria Kasatkina of Russia, for a coveted place in the Finals. The trio’s underperformance in recent tournaments across China, coupled with Navarro’s withdrawal from both the Ningbo Open and the Japan Open, paved the way for Zheng to secure her ranking and confirm her participation in the year-end event.
Zheng’s qualification makes her only the second Chinese player to compete in the WTA Finals, following in the footsteps of Li Na, who participated in 2013. This achievement underscores the rising prominence of Chinese athletes on the global tennis stage.
Since clinching the women’s singles gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris this August, Zheng has maintained a grueling match schedule. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, however, has taken a physical toll. To prioritize her health and recovery, Zheng announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Ningbo Open during a press conference on Wednesday.
“I feel sorry about skipping the Ningbo Open. It’s a pity,” Zheng expressed. “It was on my schedule to play it, but competing at the China Open and the Wuhan Open was very consuming. I was dealing with an adductor strain in my left leg during the Wuhan Open semifinals and final. I took some painkillers and cold medicine before the Wuhan Open final because I caught a cold at that time. I haven’t fully recovered yet.”
She added, “I talked to my team and made the decision to skip the Ningbo Open for the sake of my health and to avoid escalation of the leg injury. I hope I can play it next year if I have the chance. I want to focus on recovery and hope that fans can enjoy the Ningbo Open.”
Zheng’s decision highlights the intense demands placed on professional athletes and the importance of health management in sustaining a high-level career. As she prepares for the WTA Finals, fans around the world are eager to see her perform on one of tennis’s most prestigious stages.
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen becomes 2nd Chinese qualifier for WTA Finals after Li Na
cgtn.com
